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April 25, 1933. R. s. PULLEN 121' AL MATCH PACKAGING MACHINE Original Filed July 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 a a M m 1w JV Imelda"; Ewing J P zzZZem Geog? MT/wz/m 6 mam/mi 0 fllzfvvvzgg April 25, 1933- R. s. PULLEN n AL 1,905,098

MATCH PACKAGING MACHINE Original Filed July 12, 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 April 25, 1933- R. s.. PULLEN El AL MATCH PACKAGING MACHINE Original Filed July 12, 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 S.PiZZZ8iZ,

' adne 13929 Mjjw zzas w April 25, 1933. R. s. PULLEN El AL MATCH PACKAGING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 I I l 1 X l I ll Original Filed July 1928 Patented Apr. 25, 1933 v UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE RODNEY s. PULLEN, .OF AKRON, 0319, WILLI M r. CASEY ANDGEORGE THOMAS, V ,OFVPHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNORS, BY Dinner Ann unsun ASSIGN- mnnrs, TO PULLENITE COMPANY, A. CORPORATION or PENNSYLVANIA MATCH PACKAGING MACHINE Original application filed July 12, 1928, Serial No. 292,210. Divided and this application filed July 7, 1930.

Serial N 0.

Our invention relates to a machine for automatically packaging the matches with particular reference to a portion of such a machine involving apparatus for delivering matches to an intermittent conveyor, the application comprising a divisional from our copending application, Ser. No. 292,210 entitled Match packaging machine, filed July 12, 1928.

A purpose of our invention is to provide mechanism of the character indicated, easy and inexpensive to manufacture and well suited to the needs of service.

A further purpose is to provide automatic means for loading matches into upwardly presented groove seats onblock units of an endless conveyor. r v

A further purpose is to longitudinally groove the bottom of a match supply hopper, preferably to a depth adapting each groove to contain a plurality of matches, one above another, the hopper cooperating with match delivery push rods that operate simultaneously along the bottoms of the grooves to deliver the bottom matches.

A further purpose is to provide the top walls of a portion of a match supply hopper with a slope, variant according to the number of matches, one above another in the hopper in order to accommodate the slope of the top walls to that of the top matches in the groove seats, which by reason-of the greater thickness of the head ends of the matches-as compared with that of the sticks is progressively greater the greater the number of matches one above another. 1 v

A further purpose is to" mount a slowly reciprocating match hopper above stationary match delivery grooves, placing one or more wires in the matches a little above the top of the grooves and having substantially the same slope as that of" the adjacent matches, the reciprocation and the wires both stirring up-the matches so that they find their way more readily'into the grooves.

i A further purpose is to provide upward projectionsupon individual match push rods that pushthe bottom matches out of station ary groove seats and from under overlying matches on to a match conveyorunit in order to give the individual matches above the dis charging matches an upward jog during each delivery stroke to make the overlying matches find their way more readily and surely into the delivery grooves.

A further purpose is to enhance the proper settling of overlying matches into the delivery grooves of a match hopper by the assistance of a match vibrator that may engage a stationary bottom portion of the hopper or operate upon the matches inside the delivery grooves of the hopper, either or both.

A further purpose is to give easy access to any defective match in the groove seat portion of a match supply hopper by making a wall or bottom portion of the hopper adapted to open.

A further purpose is to operate the delivery of matches from a match supply hopper on to a match conveying unit by the movement of mechanism that effects the discharge of the matches from the unit at alater position thereof.

A further purpose is to provide a vertically three section match supply hopper, delivering from stationary groove seats in the bottom of the bottom section, horizontally oscillating the intermediate section to stir up the matches so that they may settle more readily into their delivery seats and making the lines of division between the sections slope the same as the matches adjacent the division lines.

A further purpose is to give the vertically intermediate portion of a vertically three part match supply hopper a range of reciprocating movement transverse to the matches and about equal to one and a half times the thickness of the match sticks.

A further. purpose is to chamfer off the ends of the walls between the groove match seats on. the match carrying blocks or amatch conveyor at the ends that receive the matches from a match supply hopper in order to avoid dangerof injuring any of the walls if the forwardly presented match ends fail to properly register with their groove seats. The walls between adjacent groove seats are usually extremely thin and any imperfect match may catch and injure the wall when pushed to place if the walls are not thus cut away at their receiving end.

A further purpose is to downwardly cham fer the match-head ends of groove match seats on the match carrier units of a match conveyor in order to insure easy entry of match discharge rods into the groove seats.

- Further purposes will appear in the specification and in the'claims.

\Ve have elected to illustrate our invention in one only of its forms in general and with respect to many details that are adapted to be widely varied, but have selected a form of machine and forms of details that have proven to be practical and efficient in operation and which well illustrate the principles involved.

Figure 1 is a perspective fragmentary assembly view of a machine embodying our invention, looking toward the front of the machine.

Figure 2 is a perspective fragmentary assembly view of the structure shown in Figure 1, looking toward the rear of the machine.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary plan view of structure at the left end of the machine intermediate and including the match feeding and card feeding mechanisms.

Figure 4 is a vertical section taken upon the line 4t4; of Figure 3 and shows the match supply hopper and mechanism for charging matches on to the successive conveyor blocks.

Figures 5 and 6 are sections upon the lines 5-5 and 66 of Figure 4.

Figure 7 is a front elevation of the structure shown in Figures 3 and 4.

Figure 8 is a detail section taken upon the line 88 of Figure 5.

Figure 9 is a detail section taken upon the line 9-9 of Figure 6.

Like reference characters refer to like parts in all figures.

Describing in illustration and not in limitation and referring to the drawings The illustrated embodiment of our invention comprises a portion of a complete machine that has proved to be effective and efficient in operation.

The machine illustrated comprises stationary frame structure D which gives housing and bearing support for the different machine elements that cooperate with one another and with the stationary structure to embody the invention.

The stationary frame includes legs D1, body D2 and a portion D3 for supporting one end of an endless chain of match carrying blocks N.

The principal driving member comprises an operating cam shaft T which is supported in suitable spaced bearings ED and may be driven in any suitable way.

Each rotation of the cam shaft E normally delivers a new charge of matches out of a match hopper into the conveyor block N then at the hopper and at the same time by mechanism described in our said parent application but irrelevant to the present application another perforated card and another bale into the machine, gives one complete cycle of operations for a number of different operating members that are respectively operating upon the successive match packets as the packets are passing or at rest at different parts of the machine. There are thus a number of different match packets progressing through the machine simultaneously in different stages of completion and each rotation of the cam shaft effects a cycle of operations at each packet and progresses each packet to a new position for the next stage of operations, the present invention however being directed merely to the match loading mechanism.

The principal moving parts operatively connected to the cam shaft E include members F, G, H, J, K, L, M, N, P and Q.

N F igurcs 1 to 4) indicates match carrying blocks that successively receive charges of matches from the push rods H2 for subsequent successive presentation in front of other push rods not shown that thread the matches into successive cards, also not shown, the blocks N together forming an endless chain.

Each carrier block N is mounted upon angle brackets N1 (Figure 4;) on a link of a sprocket chain N2 which passes over horizontally spaced idler guiding sprockets N3, around a lower idler sprocket N5 and a driving sprocket not shown.

The match charging mechanism includes the supply hopper Al the reciprocating push rods H2, and mechanism for agitating and guiding the matches in the hopper in order to insure the proper presentation of matches in front of the push rods during each forward stroke of the rods.

The hopper A1 comprises a stationary bottom portion A2, an intermediate portion A3 that has a slow short-stroke reciprocating movement in a direction transverse to the length of the matches and a stationary upper portion A4 that provides a major portion of the match content, flaring upwardly to increase its content.

T he lower portion of the hopper comprises a series of parallel groove seats A5 that have their forward ends adjacent the conveyor and are in position to successively register with corresponding groove seats A6 of the blocks N at one position of dwell of the blocks N.

The groove seats A5 are too narrow to hold more than one match laterally but are deep enough to hold a number of matches, one atop of the other, desirably about five matches on top of one another in each groove.

The matches are placed in the hopper with the match heads all directed toward the front, that is toward the conveyor N2, and as the match heads are thicker than the match sticks IOU the depth of matches is greater at the front ends of the grooves than at the rear ends.

Eachforward stroke of the push rods H2 takes place along the bottoms of the grooves and delivers the bottom matches 'in the grooves A5 of the hopper to the alined grooves A6 of-the match carrier. N then at dwell in front of the match hopper;

Because of the greater depth at thehead ends of the matches the upper walls ofthe grooves-A5 slope rearwardly, the rearward slope being made .such as to make the division line A7 between the lowerand intermediate portions of the hopper'para llel with the division lines between the matches adjacent the line of separation (Figure 4) The intermediate section A3-comprises a bottomless box; its walls having a bottom surface fitting the rearward downward slope, at A7 of the walls of thebottom .portion and an upper surface A8 having a greater slope, being substantially that of the matches adjacent the top of the intermediate portion.

The intermediate portion A3 is provided with a reciprocating movement and carriessloping wires A9,'preferably about three wires when the charge of matches is to be ten for each packet; r V

These wires A9 (Figures 8 and 4) are par allel to the slope of the matches, are preferably all of the same elevation and vertically spaced a little above the bottom of the intermediate section. Their function is to assist in the settling of the matches intothe groove seats A5 by preventing local bunching of the matches incident to the reciprocating move ment of the section A3.

The transverse reciprocating movement may be applied to the intermediate section in any suitable way, one way being shown in Figure 3, where'the hoppermember A3 is adapted to reciprocate upon angle slide members A10. p 7 I A link All pivotally connected at A12 to the hopper has its other end pivotally connected ,at A13 to a rocker member A14 and having stationary pivot support at'A15 and at its rearwardly extending'end connecting to a link A16 which isconnected to a suitable crank oreccentric A17 upon-the shaft of a pinion A18 that in turn meshes with a larger pinion A2E uponthecam shaft E. w

Each rotation of'the cam shaft thus effects a number of oscillations-of the intermediate hopper portion to agitate the matches above the stationary body portion of the hopper in order to make more easy their entry into-the upwardly directed grooves A5.

The upper portion A4 of the hopper is supported stationary on-suitable uprights A iD.

The push rods H2 are operatively connected to a plunger H that as described in the parent application is operatively con-' nected to the cam shaft V The plunger H carries an upwardly directed rack H11 (Figure 3) that meshes with a .pinion' H12 upon a shaft H13 having stationary bearing supports at H1 1 and H15 and. carrying at its other end a pinion H16 which on its upper .side meshes with a downwardly direct-ed rack H17 upon a plunger rod H18 that is horizontally guided rearwardly and forwardly at H19 and adjustably rigidly connected at H20 to an arm H21 fastened to the plunger H22 carrying the push rods H2; s V

The push rods H2nare rigidly fastened to the plunger H22 which operates in stationary guides H2D and when the plunger is in its rearward position present their forward l ends just back of the rearwardly directed KRIS of the bottom matches in. the grooves 5.

w The push rods H2 are preferably semicircular in section with the flat surface 24 horizontal-and up and the curved surface 25 fitting the groove seat.

Each of the push rods H2 carries an upward projection 26 near its forward end which serves to stir up the matches imme-.

diately above the bottom matches during the forward stroke of the'rods.

The push rods operate through suitable rearward and forwardopenings 27 and 28 at theends of the groove seats A5, each forward stroke of the rods engaging the rear ends of the matches in the groove A5 and pushing the row of matches out through the openings 28 on to the groove seats A6 of the conveyor block unit N that is registered in front of the push rods H2.

The plunger H and the push rods H1 and H2. operate while the conveyor is in dwell.

As best illustrated in Figure 4 we may desirably increase the agitation of the matches in the hopper by vibrating the lower portion A2 of the hopper, or the matches in the hopper, either or both.

In Figure 4 we indicate diagrammatically means for introducing a pulsation of air pressure and vacuumin the bottoms-of the groove seats A5 showing the bottom plate of A2 perforated at 29-and making conduit connection 30 with bellows 31 whichis given reciprocation by a suitable cam 32; and operating connections-not shown to-the cam shaft E or to other suitable moving parts of the machine. y

It is desirable to make the match'hopper adapted to give easy access to thebottom matchesin the grooves A5 and we accom plish this by making the bottom plate A2 beneaththe hopper re1novable,- and/or as -The intermittently moving match carrying blocks N areguidedby suitable horizontal guides ND to" follow a straight and horizontal path from a point somewhat before the push rods H2 to a point somewhat beyond the push rods H1.

The blocks N are all alike each presenting the upwardly directed groove seats A6 in registry with the push rods H2 during one dwell of the conveyor and in registry with push rods not shown but operated by the plunger H during a subsequent dwell of the conveyor.

The grooves A6 are a little longer than the match, adapting the blocks to use with matches of different lengths.

The groove walls are chamfered away at 35 (Figure 4) at their ends toward the match hopper, in order to avoid possible injury to the very thin walls of the grooves if any match sticks presented by the push rods H2 should register with the middle of any of the grooves.

The other ends of the grooves have the bottoms of the grooves chamfered downwardly at 36 to provide more easy entry of the cupped ends of the push rods on the plunger H and that discharge the matches off the block N into a packet.

There may be a considerable number of loaded carriers IT intermediate the push rods H2 and the discharger push rods (not shown) and one or more of those blocks close to the discharge push rods H1 are covered by a suitable cover plate 38 which closes the groove seats A6 across the top so that in effect the matches are enclosed in tube guides during discharge.

In view of our invention and disclosure variations and modifications to meet individual whim or particular need will doubtless become evident to others skilled in the art, to obtain all or part of the benefits of our invention without copying the structure shown, and we, therefore, claim all such in so far as they fall within the reasonable spirit and scope of our invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. In a match-packaging machine, a hopper, a plurality of longitudinal passages beneath the hopper of one-match width, means for alining and feeding the matches into the passages, a longitudinal feeding mechanism concurrently engaging the bottom matches in the several passages to feed the matches longitudinally, a conveyor ltrans versely movable with respect to the hopper and having a ribbed section to receive the matches between the ribs and air injecting means for intermittently engaging the bottom matches.

2. In a match-packaging machine, a hopper terminating at its lower end in grooves of one match width holding matches for discharge lengthwise, pusher rods engaging the individual bottom matches of the grooves to deliver them lengthwise and projections movable with the pusher rods and engaging the next succeeding matches in the grooves to rock these matches to assist in guiding the overlyingmatches in the grooves, the said projections being short in a direction longitudinal of the matches and located toward the forward ends of the-push rods whereby the short projections during each stroke of the rods engage successively successive portions of the matches along a major portion of the match lengths, on each forward stroke initially raising the stick ends of the matches, subsequently raising the forward ends of thematches while permitting the stick ends to fall and during the retracting stroke initially dropping the head ends and then raising and dropping the stick ends of the matches.

3. In a match packaging machine, a match hopper, delivery grooves beneath the hopper, push rods registering with the grooves for delivering the matches therefrom by longitudinal movements along the grooves and upward projections onthe individual rods for progressively lifting the overlying matches during the longitudinal movements of the rods, the said projections being short in a direction longitudinal of the matches and located toward the forward ends of the push rods whereby the short project-ions dur ing each stroke of the rods engage successiv'ely successive .portions of the matches along a major portion of the match lengths, on each forward stroke initially raising the stick ends of the matches, subsequently raising the forward ends of the matches while permitting the stick ends to fall and during the retracting stroke initially dropping the head ends and then raising and dropping the stick ends of the matches.

4:- In a match packaging machine, a hopper terminating at its lower end in match delivery'grooves of one match width and means for pulsating air upwardly and downwardly from and to the bottom of the individual grooves.

5. In a match packaging machine, a hopper terminating at its lower end in match delivery grooves of one match width, air injection pulsating means for agitating the lower range of matches pusher rods for ejecting the matches longitudinally of the grooves and projections on the pusher rods for progressively locking the overlying matches during the longitudinal movements of the rods.

RODNEY S. PULLEN. WVILLIAM F. CASEY. GEORGE M. THOMAS. 

